"If [Sean Payton] says to me, 'Bill, I need you to do this...That's what friends are supposed to be for."

Parcells says he has not been offered the job and Payton may still appeal the suspension. While the suspension is not likely to be overturned, Payton may use the appeal as an opportunity to spend more time preparing the team for the transition to a new coach.

Yesterday, Payton spoke with the media and explained why Parcells would be the ideal replacement, noting that "some things in the framework of our program [are set up] exactly the way he would have set things up had he been the head coach."

Payton was formerly an assistant coach under Parcells with the Dallas Cowboys.